Chemical proportioner



Nov. '12, 1940. Q TRA BU G R 2,221,273

CHEMICAL PROPORTIONER Fi'led Oct. 18, 1938 Patented Nov. 12, 1940 UNITEDSTATES PATENT'H- OFFICE Charles M. Strasburger, Baltimore, Md.

Application October 18, 1938, Serial No. 235,645

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to proportioning apparatus suitable formany purposes and admirably adapted to the purification of water orindustrial wastes in the prevention of stream ing movement of thebuckets actuating pumps,

dippers orvalves to feed a predetermined proportion of one or morechemical reagents for neutralization of the otherwise harmfulingredients of the discharged composition.

These prior art devices have been expensive and complicated inconstruction involving many parts, or they have been uncertain in actionto the extent that there has been no assurance that the desiredproportions of waste and reagent would be delivered and intermixed.

By the present invention it is proposed to overcome the faults anddisadvantages inherent to the known constructions by providing aproportioning apparatus comprising a plurality of discharge outletscooperating with containers pivoted to swing to raised positions toreceive discharge from suitable outlets and to swing to loweredpositions to dump their contents forintermixture, at least one of theoutletsbeing provided with a normally closed valve which is actu-, atedby one of the containers when it' assumes its raised position, todeliver the required amount of chemical reagent for admixturewith theprincipal discharge to be treated. A'counterweight is provided to swingwith the containers so as to hold them in their raised positions untilthey have received'a predetermined amountpf discharge, whereupon theweight of the containers together with their contents will over-f comethe effect of the counterweight and swing to their lowered positions todump their contents.

In the preferred form of the invention, as one discharge containerswings to its lowered positi'on to dump its contents, another similarcontainer pivoted therewith willswing to a raised position, aided by thecounterweight after the latter passes its dead-center position, thesecond container now receiving the discharge.

Each container provided for the reception of discharge is preferablyprovided with, a receptacle or container intended for the reception of apredetermined quantity of chemical reagent during the time that thereceptacle is in its raised position. The delivery to the receptacle. isaccomplished by providing a reagent supply outlet for each suchreceptacle, for dispensing thereto a predetermined amount of reagentupon each oscillation or swinging movement. The reagent supply outletsare preferably provided with valves and gasketed filler heads whichenter into sealing relationship with the receptacles in their raisedpositions so that upon opening of the valveby contact with thereceptacle, a predetermined amount of reagent will enter the receptacleand due to the presence of the gasket or other seal, there will be noleakage. Upon withdrawal of the receptacle from its raised position, aspring pressed valve closes the supply outlet until the next operation.

In the event that more than one chemical reagent is to be added to thedischarge, the pres ent invention contemplates the provision of aplurality of sources of such reagents with a corresponding number ofreceptacles carried by each container. The capacities of the receptaclesthemselves are preferably adjustable in order that the proportions maybe varied. Likewise for adjusting proportions, the position of thecounterweight with respect to the containers may be varied along a leverarm provided therefor.

The manner in which these various objects are realized will be madeclearer by reference to the following description of the attacheddrawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic elevation partly in section of theapparatus;

"Fig. 2 is an elevation partly in section taken at right angles to theapparatus of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a detail.

A discharge outlet l0 conveying liquid to be purified, is located abovea mixing tank l2 adapted to receive the discharge together with apurifying reagent or reagents in predetermined proportions forintermixture prior to final disposal through a conduit l3 to a sewer orother waste channel. A supporting framework I4 comprises a pair ofrisers [6 which may serve as journals to pivotally receive the ends of ashaft l8. A pair of collars or bosses 20 are mounted on the shaft inspaced relationship, each collar or boss having three radially extendingarms projecting therefrom. Two of the arms 22 of each collar serve tosupport theends of a pair of containers 24 adapted to receive dischargefrom the outlet Ill. The third arm 26 carried by each collar, serves asa lever arm for a counterweight 28 which may be adjusted thereon andfastened by means of a set screw 30. Optionally, the shaft I8 may berigidly held by the risers l6 and the collars 26 may be loosely fittedon the shaft for rotation thereabout. In any event, suitable bearingsmay be provided between the rotating parts.

Each of the containers 24 is served by a flume 32, the fiumes convergingfrom their respective containers to intersect in a plane bisecting theangle defined by the arms 22 supporting the containers. As shown in Fig.1 of the drawing, the angle defined by the containers, or by their leverarms may be As also noted in Fig. l, with the pivoted construction inits dead-center position, the intersection of the fiumes occurs in linewith the mouth of the discharge outlet In,

so that in normal operation, the discharge will enter one or the otherof the containers.

Each of the containers 2 5 carries one or more receptacles or containersM for the reception of one or more reagents to be admixed with thedischarge from the outlet N]. The receptacles 34- derive their supply ofreagent from reagent supply or discharge outlets 36, suitably supportedby a horizontal structure 38 forming a portion of the framework. Theupper ends of the reagent supply outlets are connected to suitablesupply tanks 40 which may contain identical or different reagentsdepending upon the requirements of a particular installation. The supplylines may beprovided with suitable valves 42 at convenient points in thelines. The lower ends of the supply outlets are provided with valvedfiller heads, A l for cooperation with the receptacles 34 when thelatter are in their raised position.

The details of one such receptacle and filler head are shown by way ofexample in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The lower end of the reagent supplyoutlet has rigidly attached thereto an inverted cup-like member d6 whichis open at its lower end. Centrally suspended from the base of thismember, a spider 38 is provided for supporting a relatively fixed valve56. Surrounding the cup-like member, a sliclable housing 52 is provided,open at its upper end to loosely receive the outlet line 36. Thishousing is normally urged downwardly by a spring 54 bearing against thebottom of the cup-like member, tending to bring a valve seat 56 formedat the lower end of the housing into contact with the valve to close theoutlet. A separable cap 58 suitably attached to the housing maintainsthe parts in assembled relationship. A gasket 60 is provided on thelower surface of the housing 52 for registration with thelip of areceptacle 34. In operative position as shown in Fig. 3, it will beevident that reagent supply from the outlet 36 will pass through thespider and check valve into the receptacle 34 and fill the same, but dueto the sealing relationship made possible by the gasket, the receptaclewill not overflow and the reagent will not be wasted or supplied inquantities greater than desired.

In order to adjust the capacity of the receptacle 34, it may be providedwith a threaded opening at its lower end for the reception of a threadeddisk 62 having a shank 64 by which it may be turned to raise or lower itwith respect to the receptacle and thus alter its volume.

In operation, the valves :12 will be opened and there will be a flow ofdischarge liquid from the outlet Ill. The positon of the counterweights28 will be adjusted to the desired points by means of the set screws 30and the capacity of the receptacles 34 will be set to meet therequirements of the particular situation. The containers will then bemoved to an operative position as depicted in broken lines in Fig. 1 ofthe drawing, whereupon discharge from the outlet It will enter the righthand flume 32 discharging into the right hand container 24. time, thecounterweight or counterweights 28 will hold the right hand receptacle34 in contact With its filling head 44, charging the same to itsadjusted capacity. As soon as the weight of the containers and theircontents overcomes the counterweight, the pivoted assembly will swingclockwise to move the left hand container and receptacle to a horizontalposition to receive their supply of discharge and reagent. As the righthand receptacle moves downward, its contents and that of its receptacle38 will be dumped into the mixing tank [2, and after sufficientintermixture therein to complete the neutralization or other desiredreaction, the products will be disposed of in the desired manner.

Whereas only one embodiment of the present invention has been disclosedin the accompanying description and drawing, modifications will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art and such modifications as comewithin the terms of the appended claims are contemplated.

I claim:

1. Proportioning apparatus comprising a receptacle for containingtreating material, a plurality of discharge conduits providing outletsone of which connects with said receptacle, a plurality of containerspivoted to swing to raised positions to receive discharge simultaneouslyfrom said outlets and to swing to lowered positions when charged to dumptheir contents for intermixture, one of said outlets containing anormally closed valve and one of said containers in its raised positionbearing against said valve to open the same.

2. Proportioning apparatus comprising a receptacle for containingtreating material, a plurality of discharge conduits providing outletsone of which connects with said receptacle, a plurality of containerspivoted to swing to raised positions to receive discharge simultaneouslyfrom said outlets and to swing to lowered positions when charged to dumptheir contents for intermixture, a counterweight cooperating with saidcontainers to maintain them in raised positions until their combinedweight exceeds that of the counterweight, one of said outlets containinga normally closed valve and one of said containers in its raisedposition bearing againstsaid valve to open the same.

3. Proportioning apparatus comprising a receptacle for containingtreating material, a plurality of discharge conduits providing outletsone of which connects with said receptacle, a plurality of containerspivoted to swing to raised positions to receive discharge simultaneouslyfrom said outlets and to swing to lowered positions when charged to dumptheir contents for intermixture, one of said outlets containing anormally closed valve and having a gasket at its mouth, and one of saidcontainers in its raised position contacting said gasket to form a sealand bearing against said valve to open the same.

4. Proportioning apparatus comprising a receptacle for containingtreating material, a plurality of discharge conduits providing outletsone of which connects with said receptacle, containers pivoted to swingto raised positions to receive discharge from said outlets and to swingto lowered positions when charged to dump their con- At the same tentsfor intermixtureone of said outlets con,-

taining a normally closed valve, one of said conceptacle for containingtreating material, a mixing tank, a plurality of discharge conduitsproviding outlets one of which connects with said receptacle, a,pluralityof containers pivoted to swing to raised positions to receivedischarge simultaneously from said outlets respectively and to swing tolowered positions when charged to dump their contents intosaid tankforintermixture, one of said outlets containing a normally closed checkvalve and one of said containers in its raised position bearing againstsaid valve in sealing relationship to open the same and receivedischarge therefrom.

6. Proportioning apparatus comprising a receptacle for containingtreating material, a. plurality of discharge conduits providing outletsone of which connects with said receptacle, containers pivoted to swingto raised positions to receive discharge from said outlets and to swingto lowered positions when charged todump their contents forintermixture, a counterweight pivoted with said containers to move themto their raised positions, one of said outlets containing a normallyclosed valve and one of said containers in its raised position bearingin sealing relationship against said valve to hold it open until theweight of the discharge in said containers overcomes said counterweight.

'7. Proportioning apparatus comprising a receptacle for containingtreating material, a plurality of discharge conduits providing outletsone of which connects with said receptacle, a plurality of containerspivoted to swing to raised positions to receive discharge simultaneouslyfrom said outlets and to swing to lowered positions when charged to dumptheir contents for intermixture,

an adjustable counterweight pivoted for movement with said containers tomove them to their raised positions, one of said outlets containing anormally closed valve and one of said containers in its raised positionbearing against said valve to open the same.

8. Proportioning apparatus comprising a waste discharge outlet andvalved reagent supply outlets, a pair of angularly disposed containerspivoted to swing alternately to raised positions to receive dischargefrom said discharge outlet and to lowered positions when charged to dumptheir contents, a counterweight symmetrically mounted with respect tosaid containers and pivoted therewith, a reagent receptacle carried byeach of said containers for cooperation with said supply outletsrespectively, said receptacles in their raised positions actuating therespective valved supply outlets and in lowered positions dumping theircontents for intermixture with said waste discharge.

9. Proportioning apparatus comprising a waste discharge outlet and valvereagent supply outlets, a pair of angularly disposed containers pivotedto swing alternately to raised positions to receive discharge from saiddischarge outlet and to lowered positions when charged to dump theircontents, a counterweight symmetrically mounted with respect to saidcontainers and pivoted therewith, a reagent receptacle carried by eachof said containers for cooperation with said supply outletsrespectively, said receptacles in their raised positions entering intosealing relationship with the-respective supply outlets and actuatingtheir valves and in lowered positions dumping their contents.forintermixture with said waste discharge. y

10. Proportioning apparatus comprising ;a waste discharge outlet andreagent supply outlets, each of said supply outlets containing a checkvalve, a pair of angularly disposed containers pivoted to swingalternately to raised positions. to receive discharge from saiddischarge outlet and to lowered positions when charged to dump theircontents, a counterweight symmetrically mounted with respect to saidcontainers and pivoted therewith, a reagent receptacle carried by eachof said containers for cooperation with said supply outletsrespectively, said receptacles in their raised positions opening thecheck valves of the respective supply outlets and receiving apredetermined quantity of reagent and in lowered positions dumping theircontents for intermixture with said waste discharge.

ll. Proportioning apparatus comprising a mixing tank, a framework, apair of angularly disposed containers pivoted for oscillation in saidframework above said tank, each of said containers having a fiume forfeeding discharge thereto, said fiumes converging from the containers tointersect in a plane bisecting the angle defined by the containers, acounterweight symmetrically mounted with respect to said containers andpivoted therewith, a discharge conduit providing an outlet having amouth positioned alcove and in line with the dead-center position ofsaid fiumes so as to discharge into one or the other in normaloperation, a reagent receptacle carried with each of said containers, avalved reagent supply conduit providing an outlet for each of saidreceptacles, said receptacles alternately contacting their respectivesupply outlets to receive a supply of reagent for adrmixture with thedischarge, said receptacles and containers being adapted to dump theircontents into said mixing tank during their oscillating movement.

12. Proportioning apparatus comprising a mixing tank, a framework, a.pair of angularly disposed containers pivoted for' oscillation in saidframework above said tank, each of said containers having a flume forfeeding discharge thereto, said flumes converging from the containers tointersect in a plane bisecting the angle defined by the containers, acounterweight symmetrically mounted with respect to said containers andpivoted therewith, a discharge conduit providing an outlet having amouth positioned above and in line with the dead-center position of saidfiumes'so as to discharge into one or the other in normal operation, areagent receptacle carried with each of said containers, a valvedreagent supply conduit providing an outlet for each of said receptacles,said receptacles alternately contacting their respective supply outletsin sealing relationship and actuating said valves to receive a. supplyof reagent for admixture with the discharge, said receptacles andcontainers being adapted to dump their contents into said mixing tankduring their oscillating movement.

13. Proportioning apparatus comprising a mixing tank, a framework, 2.pair of angularly disposed containers pivoted for oscillation in saidframework above said tank, said containers receiving discharge in theirraised positions and dumping it into said tank in their loweredpositions, each of said containers having a flume for containers, avalved reagent supply conduit pro viding an outlet for each of saidreceptacles, said receptacles alternately contacting their respectivesupply outlets and actuating their valves under the influence of saidcounterweight to receive a supply of reagent for admixture with thedischarge, said receptacles and containers being adapted to dump theircontents into said mixing tank during their oscillating movement.

CHAS. M. STRASBURGER. 10

